I got carried away last week and heard about it! Fearless said he thought that Gib Tespu (who’s still in parts unknown) must have slipped in and switched a couple of my picks. Insults often get their desired results. So I’M taking a vacation NEXT week myself, just like Fearless is for a week and a half. He’ll be down in Ol’ Virginny while I have a reunion with a few of my old CFL cronies - those who can still walk or limp, that is -- up in Canada.

Back to the subject at hand. And I’ll keep it brief this week:

MONROE-WOODBURY over Kingston -- We all know how outstanding that Crusader offense is, but let’s not overlook the ‘D’ led by safety Ryan Morgan, a senior who can fly and hit. He’s also an absolute standout on the kickoff team.

NEWBURGH over Cornwall -- The young Dragons are maturing quickly, but NFA is loaded with the offense coming on strong as "Fast Freddy" Locklary gets better and better at QB.  The veteran Locklary proved he can pass as well as run last week at MW.

PINE BUSH over Wallkill -- A great match-up with the Class AA-I Bushmen ground attack giving them the edge over the Class A Panthers.

WASHINGTONVILLE over Saugerties -- This should be a nail-biter with the improving Wizards just getting past the Sawyers to give Don Clark his first win at his second go-round in Wizardville.

WARWICK over Valley Central -- This is a big AA-II game. The Wildcats will outgun the Vikings in a wiiide-open offensive game.

MINISINK VALLEY over Port Jervis -- What affect will the week off have on PJ? The AA-II Warrior defense has been solid this year and must do the job again against the feisty A Raiders.

O’NEILL at New Paltz -- To say that O’Neill needs a league (Class B) win is an understatement. Look for the Raiders to get their offense together this week at New Paltz’s expense.

SULLIVAN WEST over Ellenville -- The top two Class C teams go head-to-head. The Bulldogs won the regular season meeting last year but the Devils adjusted their defense in the sectional title game and upended SW. We suspect that Ron Bauer’s boys will be ready for anything this year and aren’t apt to be overconfident.

MARLBORO over Millbrook -- The Class B Dukes have the momentum while Class C Millbrook will look to rebound from last week's league loss to Sully West.  The Dukes should win in a close game.

MIDDLETOWN over FDR -- An AA inter-divisional game. Both teams need the win, but the Middies get the home field advantage after being on the road the first three weeks.

LIBERTY over Tri-Valley -- This is a real toss-up! So I’ll again make our friend and T-V Coach John Rusin smile by picking Liberty to win.

DOBBS FERRY over Onteora -- Section One perennial powerhouse DF actually lost last week to Bronxville, another power. Regardless, Onteora will have its hands very full but will play hard.

ELDRED over Spackenkill -- The state-ranked Yellow Jackets step up a class to meet the fightin’ Spartans. Veteran Eldred has the edge.

GOSHEN over Burke Catholic -- Here is Fearless Phil’s biggest regret for being away this weekend. He’ll miss the game he campaigned so hard for last year. This will be a war. Each squad is frustrated, in need of a win and has the perfect nemesis for a Saturday afternoon hometown showdown. Who’s Class A and who’s Class B shouldn’t matter here.

CHESTER over LMR -- But for a change LMR is not be anybody’s punching bag.

RED HOOK over Pine Plains -- Class B Red Hook finally got its first win after being shut out twice. The Raiders shouldn’t have any trouble with Class C Pine Plains in a Dutchess County match-up.

Well, it wasn’t all that brief. But there you have it. Now it’s time to lift the hood of my old Camaro and start fine-tuning that sweet engine for next week’s trip north.  No, the car isn't purple.  We'll reserve that color for the Crusaders. 

NOTE:  Rick's record for last week was 13-3.  His overall record is 42-10.  Gib Tespu has just come out of hiding, so Rick had better pick up his pace.